Multi-Level Apartment Building

ABSTRACT

A system of spaces including a residential apartment unit in a multi-unit building arranged on multiple levels that provides the following attributes to all units in the building: Central corridor access to a middle level of each unit; through-unit feature with exposures at opposite sides of the building; a variety of ceiling heights, each appropriate to the function and formality of its respective space, which nest to conserve building height and bulk; and internal balconies and exposed interior stairs enabling vertically displaced spaces to interlock and communicate visually. The resulting unit is contained within a demising envelope whose shape, when rotated 180 degrees about a central public corridor serving a second such unit, forms a complimentary pair. The combined shape of each such pair of units enables it to be stacked vertically and abutted laterally into a simple rectangular solid that allows vertical continuity for optimum efficiency of structural and mechanical support systems.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/948,025 filed Sep. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,540,120,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.60/505,401 filed Sep. 23, 2003, now expired, both of which areincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a ‘luxury’ class of residentialapartment structures which emulate the features of detached dwellings.When applied to vertically superimposed apartment units found inhigh-rise developments, the combination of features offered by thepresent invention is usually limited to penthouse locations, which lackconstraints for height and footprint. The present design makes penthouseamenities available to the lower floors of such structures, whileresulting in a simplified overall building envelope that may beconstructed economically by conventional and/or industrialized methods.Efficient fabrication is inherent in the economy of scale of suchstructures, and energy efficiency is inherent in their lowsurface-to-volume ratio.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High-rise construction is favored in an increasingly crowded andenvironmentally challenged world. The higher density afforded by suchstructures reduce the per capita footprint and consequent impermeablesurfaces which cause flooding, pollution of storm water, high albedoeffects, and the congestion engendered by sprawling development due tolonger travel distances, and consequent fuel consumption, air pollutionand other effects of a ‘carbon footprint’.

The present invention addresses itself to that mobile class ofhomeowners whose means and inclinations most commonly result in sprawl.It offers a viable alternative to the private detached dwelling thatachieves comparable amenities together with the environmentalefficiencies of high-rise development.

Two attributes of the design cannot be claimed as program objectives inefficient apartment planning, but make a positive contribution to avisually complete environment: The stairs permit vantage points thatenrich the visual experience, and a modicum of physical rigor that hascome to be valued in an increasingly sedentary world. The corridorsserve the private zones of the dwelling by imparting a sense ofseclusion, and refuge from the boisterous communal functions, as well asproviding gallery space for personal expression.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A residential apartment unit arranged on multiple levels capable ofproviding the foregoing attributes of a detached dwelling to all unitsof a building. The apartment unit is contained within a demisingenvelope whose shape fulfills at least four objectives:

1. Distributing the enclosed volume of a multi-unit apartment buildingmeaningfully by moderating the height of each space within theapartments according to its function and proportionately to its plandimensions;

2. Nesting of vertically stacked volumes to conserve building height;

3. Horizontal alignment of such stacked units to consolidate and conveyvertically continuous services, and accommodate shafts, and chutes; and

4. Complementary pairs of such units form a rectangular footprint thatoffers a simplified boundary for vertically continuous supportingstructure. The units generally extend across a centrally located publiccorridor to opposite facades of the building. Each public corridorprovides access to a row of such apartment pairs only on entry levels,which increases the vertical interval between corridors to over twostories, thus minimizing uninhabitable floor area in the building.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Essential features are illustrated as preferred embodiments of theinvention in the following drawings, in which like reference numbers andletters indicate the same or similar elements:

FIG. 1 is an exploded axonometric view of all four levels of a singleapartment 10A sharing a public corridor with the second apartment of apair 10B, of which two levels are shown. The stairs, utility channels,room titles, balconies, partition and fixture layouts are identical ineach, as those of a preferred embodiment of the design.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the typical interior stair and supportwall with utility channel shown in FIG. 1. The stair is that of apreferred embodiment of the design.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D are portions of the Floor Plan of a buildingwith identical apartments of a preferred embodiment, taken at differentelevations along the stepped line of Section 3-3 shown in FIG. 5. Thehatched areas distinguish separate apartments.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are Cross-sections of a preferred embodiment ofapartments within a portion of a building taken along Sections 4A, 4B,4C respectively, shown in FIG. 5. The hatched area distinguishes theextent of a single apartment. A legend on the left designated “R”indicates the number of risers above (+) and below (−) the entry level(0.0) in the interior stair of a preferred embodiment. The extent ofthese levels in plan is reflected in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D. “FC”designates a preferred position for a suspended fan coil unit withhydronic connections for temperature control of the major communalspaces within the apartment.

FIG. 5 is a Longitudinal Section of a portion of a building withidentical apartments of a preferred embodiment taken along Section 5 asshown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C. The hatched area indicatesthe extent of a single apartment. Stairs of a preferred embodiment areshown schematically. Partitions and certain bearing walls are omittedfor clarity.

FIG. 6 is a rendered perspective view of a furnished apartment in apreferred embodiment seen from the level of the entry landing, lookingacross Module B toward the window and exterior balcony. A perspectiveline drawing of the same view is provided below the rendering fororientation.

FIG. 7 is a rendered perspective view of a furnished apartment in apreferred embodiment seen from the interior balcony 69 of Module D,looking across Module B toward the window and exterior balcony. Aperspective line drawing of the same view is provided below therendering for orientation.

FIG. 8 is a rendered perspective view of a furnished apartment in apreferred embodiment seen from the floor 38 of Module B, looking towardthe interior wall containing the apartment entry, the interior stair,and the parapet of the interior balcony. A perspective line drawing ofthe same view is provided below the rendering for orientation.

FIG. 9 is a perspective line drawing of a preferred embodiment showingthe split-level relationship of Modules A and B in the context of othermodules. The exterior balcony is omitted for clarity.

FIG. 10 is an enlargement of FIG. 3B, a furnished partial Floor Plan ina preferred embodiment, showing Modules A and B, with an exteriorbalcony 40.

FIG. 11 is an enlargement of FIG. 3C, a furnished partial Floor Plan ina preferred embodiment, showing Modules C and D, with an interiorbalcony area 69.

FIG. 12 is an axonometric volume study that demonstrates the geometricrelationship between the principal demising elements and the spaces theycontain. Portions of certain demising walls and partitions are omittedto clarify the spatial pattern schematically.

FIG. 13 shows an alternate interior stair arrangement for a typicalapartment unit. Its implications are shown by combining a partial FloorPlan 13A, with a Cross-section 13B, and a Longitudinal Section 13Carranged in cabinet drawing format.

FIG. 14 shows a second alternate interior stair arrangement for atypical apartment unit. Its implications are shown by combining apartial Floor Plan 14A, with a Cross-section 14B, and a LongitudinalSection 14C arranged in cabinet drawing format.

FIG. 15 shows a third alternate interior stair arrangement for a typicalapartment unit. Its implications are shown by combining a partial FloorPlan 15A, with a Cross-section 15B, and a Longitudinal Section 15Carranged in cabinet drawing format.

FIG. 16 is an exploded axonometric view of apartment units showing theirdemised envelopes diagrammatically as geometric solids. These assembleas components of a building that resolves into a rectangular solid.Structural and utility elements are omitted for clarity. The shape ofthe unit depicted in this view is predicated on the preferred embodimentof the internal stair design.

FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 16 but seen from below wherein componentunits are presented as shaded geometric solids.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is comprised of an arrangement of spaces in an apartmentunit organized on basically four vertically displaced floors. The floorsare connected by a stair system that may, in a preferred embodiment,incorporate a support wall containing a utility channel for verticallycontinuous services.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a first apartment unit 10A is entered from acentrally located public corridor 25, nominally coplanar with the firstapartment floor level 32 corresponding to Module A. The floor level 32extends from the apartment entry 34 to the building façade on the sameside of the public corridor 25. The ceiling plane of the floor level 32of Module A is designated 33 (see FIG. 9).

Module A would typically contain the customary functions associated withan entry, including but not limited to a Wardrobe, Utility or StorageCloset, Powder Room, Kitchen, Dining Room. Alternative and/or additionalfunctions may of course be designed without deviating from the scope andspirit of the invention.

The height of Module A and the public corridor 25 is greater than aminimal story height to accommodate an interstitial space for horizontaltransfer of utilities within the module and the public corridor 25,above the ceiling plane. These utilities typically include, but are notlimited to, pitched sanitary and condensate drains, air conditioningductwork, and toilet, dryer and kitchen power exhausts. The additionalheadroom in the public corridor 25 imparts the formality expected ofthis function, while the functions within the larger communal spaces ofModule A similarly benefit from additional ostensible height inproportion to their greater floor dimensions and desired formality.

A landing extension of floor level 32 into Module B affords access tothe interior stair system leading to upper and lower levels of theapartment. FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the interior stairsystem. Descending the steps 36 from floor 32 accesses the floor 38 ofModule B a split-level distance, or less than one-half story, belowModule A. The floor 38 extends from the public corridor wall to the samebuilding façade as that of floor 32. The floor 38 includes a landing 38Ladjacent the steps 36.

Module B would typically contain the customary functions of the lowerportion of a split-level communal space including but not limited to aLiving Room and Den or Study. Alternative and/or additional functionsmay of course be designed without deviating from the scope and spirit ofthe invention.

The height of Module B, in a preferred embodiment, is substantiallyequal to the height of Module A plus approximately twice the differencein elevation between Modules A and B. In addition, as a minimum,sufficient headroom clearance is provided above and beneath a platform52 of the interior stair to allow passage, where required by the desiredstair geometry, and in conformity with applicable building codes (seeFIGS. 1 and 2).

Descending steps 42 from the floor 38 in Module B, the floor 44 ofModule C is accessed less than a full story below the floor 38 in ModuleB. The floor 44 extends from the bottom riser of the steps 42, coplanarwith an interior corridor 29, beneath the public corridor 25 to theopposite façade of the building from that bounding Modules A and B (seeFIG. 1). The floor 44 includes a landing 44L adjacent the steps 42.

Further, the floor 44 is excised to allow headroom clearance required bythe upper portion of the interior stair system within Module B of theapartment immediately below. The floor 44, in a preferred embodiment, isfurther excised to allow clearance for an atrium space within the ModuleB of the apartment immediately below. The dimensions of interiorcorridor 29 result from the two foregoing openings in the floor 44.

Module C, in a preferred embodiment, would typically contain thefunctions of a Master Bedroom suite, including Wardrobe, Master Bath andBedroom. While its function(s) and dimensions are intimate enough incharacter to justify a lower ceiling height and privacy from otherspaces, its formality relative to those spaces warrants proximity to theLiving Room, whose social functions it may share. Alternative and/oradditional functions may of course be designed without deviating fromthe scope and spirit of the invention.

The height of Module C may be the minimum story height. In addition, asa minimum, sufficient headroom clearance is provided beneath the publiccorridor 25 to allow passage on steps 42 to the interior corridor 29.

Ascending steps 60 from the stair landing at floor level 32, past stairplatform 52 and above (see FIG. 2), accesses the floor 68 of Module Dabove the public corridor 25. The steps 60 lead to a landing 68L of thefloor 68. The floor 68 of Module D, including communal area 69 inaddition to the landing 68L, extends from the apartment entry wall tothe same façade as that bounding Module C.

Module D, in a preferred embodiment, would typically contain thefunctions associated with one or more minor bedrooms, includingWardrobes, Toilet, and Bedrooms. Alternative and/or additional functionsmay of course be designed without deviating from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. A communal area 69 on floor plane 68 falls behind aparapet as an interior balcony overlooking Module B.

The height of Module D varies. That portion over the floor that includesthe Bedroom and Toilet functions may be of minimum story height. Theheight over the two combined areas excised from the plane of floor 44 ofModule C immediately above, may extend upward an additional story to thesame ceiling plane as that of the aforementioned Module C immediatelyabove, as shown in FIGS. 4B and 4C. A suspended ceiling may lower theceiling plane in this location to provide interstitial space forhorizontal services and recessed lighting.

The line of sight from the interior balcony of communal area 69 to thefloor of Module B is controlled by the distance of the line of theatrium excision in Module C of the apartment above, measured from theparapet wall of the interior balcony of the communal area 69 of ModuleD.

The foregoing describes a preferred embodiment of a typical apartmentunit 10A. The irregular demising envelope of this unit is complementedby an identical unit 10B rotated 180 degrees in plan about the centralpublic corridor 25, as shown in FIG. 1. Module A of apartment 10A isthus directly across the public corridor 25 from Module B of apartment10B. The entrance to apartment 10B, through its Module A, is thus on theopposite side of the public corridor 25 from that of apartment 10A, anddiagonally opposite the Module A accessing apartment 10A.

The footprint of the resulting apartment pair is thus a rectangle,providing simplified boundaries for vertically continuous supportingwalls 27 extending from one façade to the other, perpendicular to, andpenetrated by the public corridor 25.

The public corridor's efficiency thus benefits from a double-loadedconfiguration, while its preferred centrality and vertical alignmentwith those of other vertical segments above and below, allows directaccess to vertical shafts, chutes and service risers, minimizingnon-habitable space. Structural efficiency benefits from verticalalignment of the public corridors since building codes commonly assignhigher design load standards to these than to the occupied portions ofresidential floors. Although the public corridor 25 may be in aschematically or nominally central location between apartments 10A and10B, its vertical alignment with the public corridors of other segmentsabove and below is more essential to the design. Rather, the buildingmay be constructed such that apartments on either side of the publiccorridor 25 vary in dimensions perpendicular to the public corridor 25.

Structural support, in a preferred embodiment, is assisted by avertically continuous load bearing wall 71 located between Modules A andB to receive one side of the floor 32 and 38 not supported by demisingwalls 27. Wall 71, in a preferred embodiment, is partially open withinthe apartment to allow Modules A and B to communicate visually over aparapet, and to allow passage between these modules at the landing 32L,as shown in FIG. 1, or equivalent as shown in FIG. 13A or 13C, or other.The wall 71 of apartment 10A extends nominally parallel to walls 27within the apartment, and continues across the public corridor 25 to thecorresponding second apartment of the pair 10B, coplanar with wall 71 ofthe first apartment of the pair 10A, from one building façade to theother on the opposite side of the building.

Openings in the demising walls 27 may add space to an apartment on oneside, at the expense of space on the other side consistent withstructural requirements of the wall.

Apartment pairs may be added to the public corridor in mirroredjuxtaposition, such that Module A of apartment 10A on one side of thecorridor is adjacent to the Module A of the next apartment on the sameside of the corridor, and Module B is similarly adjacent to Module B ofthe next apartment. The pattern is repeated on the opposite side of thepublic corridor 25, starting from the opposing unit, apartment 10B, asshown in FIG. 3B. The major room functions in a preferred embodimentshown in FIGS. 3A-5 are as follows: K=Kitchen, DR=Dining Room, L=LivingRoom, BR=Bedroom, MBR=Master Bedroom.

Apartment pairs may be stacked vertically in the same orientation toeach unit as those flanking it horizontally so that each apartment ismirrored laterally in relation to the next apartment immediatelyadjacent (within the same vertical segment). The next apartment(s)vertically adjacent (in an underlying or overlying vertical segment)has/have the same orientation as those horizontally adjacent to thesubject apartment. In the underlying or overlying vertical segment Inthis arrangement, the following juxtapositions result:

Module A of apartment 10A of the first vertical segment falls aboveModule C of apartment 10B of the first vertical segment,

Module B of apartment 10A of the first vertical segment falls aboveModule D of apartment 10B of the second vertical segment,

Module C of apartment 10A of the first vertical segment falls aboveModule B of apartment 10B of the second vertical segment,

Module D of apartment 10A of the first vertical segment falls aboveModule A of apartment 10B of the first vertical segment.

When stacked vertically, preferably the public corridors 25 alignvertically with one another. However, it is possible that there is someoffset in the position of the public corridors 25 in multiple verticalsegments stacked one on top of another.

In a preferred embodiment, utilizing the interior stair support wall 12as a utility channel, the horizontal alignments of stacked apartmentsprovide a straight vertical path 14 through each of two such channels ateach level of each apartment, as shown in FIG. 1. In a preferredembodiment, these channels are exposed on four sides only where thestair is exposed in Module B, and concealed by partitions within theother modules. The stair support wall 12 includes two major surfaces 16and two lateral faces 20.

In a preferred embodiment, exterior balconies 40 are appended to floor38 and/or floor 32 extending beyond the fenestration line of Module Band/or Module A. When applied to these locations, they occur at aninterval of nominally five stories, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C. Thisincreases the azimuth by which each balcony receives direct sunlight forthe benefit of gardens, while imparting the ambience of an open terrace.The absence of shading by overhangs at the ceiling plane of the communalspaces promotes penetration of daylight into the deeper recesses ofthese larger spaces, as by clerestory fenestration. In the event thatsite orientation prohibits sunlit balconies at Modules A and B, thenModule C serving the Master Bedrooms is the next most suitable level.

FIG. 16 shows an exploded view of an apartment building includingseveral pairs of apartments 10A and 10B in each of two vertical segmentsarranged one on top of the other. Each pair of apartments includesapartments 10A and 10B and part of the public corridor 25 extendinglongitudinally through the apartments 10A and 10B and providing accessto both apartments 10A and 10B from opposite sides of the publiccorridor 25. As described above, apartment 10A is rotated 180 degrees inplan in relation to apartment 10B about the public corridor 25 and eachof the apartments 10A and 10B includes at least four floor levelssuitable for habitation (see FIG. 1). A floor level of Module A issubstantially co-planar with a floor level of the public corridor 25.Also, in each of the apartments 10A and 10B, the floor level of Module Aand the floor level of Module B extend from the public corridor 25 to abuilding facade on a first side of the public corridor 25 on which anentry 34 from the public corridor 25 into the apartment is situated (seeFIG. 3B). A floor level of Module C of each apartment 10A and 10Bextends beneath the public corridor 25 to a building facade on a secondside of the public corridor 25 opposite to the first side such that thefloor level of Module C extends in a direction opposite to the directionin which the floor levels of Modules A and B extend from the publiccorridor 25. The floor level of Module D of each apartment 10A and 10Bextends above the public corridor 25 to the building facade on thesecond side of the public corridor opposite to the first side such thatthe floor level of Module D extends in the same direction as the floorlevel of Module C extends from the public corridor 25. A stair system isarranged in each apartment 10 and 10B to connect the floor levelstherein (see, for example, FIGS. 1 and 2).

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed and illustrated herein, and some alternatives are cited, theuniversal applicability of many of its precepts make it adaptable tomany circumstances in many places. It is therefore obvious thatmodifications in proportions, dimensions and quantity of units, as wellas partitioning and furniture will be needed to respond to requirementsimposed by building codes and program objectives. Many suchmodifications, too numerous to describe herein, can be made withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention. For example, althoughthe arrangement of spaces comprising an apartment unit described aboveis organized on basically four vertically displaced floor planes, it isconceivable to provide fewer or more floor planes, e.g., one of thefloor planes may include a bi-level structure to thereby provide theapartment unit with five floor planes. This additional floor plane doesnot alter the fundamental novelties of the invention and thus theessence of the invention will remain the same.

1. A multi-level building, comprising: at least one vertical segment,each of said at least one vertical segment being comprised of at leastone pair of first and second apartment units and a public corridor thatprovides access to said first and second apartment units, each of saidfirst and second apartment units including at least four floor levelssuitable for habitation, a first one of said floor levels beingsubstantially co-planar with a floor level of said public corridor, saidfirst apartment unit being rotated 180 degrees in plan in relation tosaid second apartment unit about said public corridor, in each of saidfirst and second apartment units, said first floor level and a secondone of said floor levels extending from a plane of a wall containing anentry into said apartment unit to a building façade on a first side ofsaid public corridor on which the wall containing the entry from saidpublic corridor into said apartment unit is situated, a third one ofsaid floor levels extending beneath said public corridor to a buildingfacade on a second side of said public corridor opposite to said firstside such that said third floor level extends in a direction opposite tothe direction in which said first and second floor levels extend fromsaid public corridor, a fourth one of said floor levels extending abovesaid public corridor to the building facade on the second side of saidpublic corridor opposite to said first side such that said fourth floorlevel extends in the same direction as said third floor level extendsfrom said public corridor; and a stair system arranged in each of saidfirst and second apartment units to connect said at least four floorlevels.
 2. The building of claim 1, wherein said first and secondapartment units in each of said at least one pair of apartment units aresubstantially identical.
 3. The building of claim 1, wherein each ofsaid first and second apartment units further includes a verticallyextending wall, said stair system in each of said first and secondapartment units being supported from said vertically extending wall. 4.The building of claim 3, further comprising utility conduits arranged insaid vertically extending wall.
 5. The building of claim 1, wherein saidstair system is comprised of at least one of risers, treads, handrails,guardrails, platforms and landings.
 6. The building of claim 1, whereineach of said first and second apartment units includes a structuralceiling over said first floor level, said structural ceiling providingsaid first floor level with a height that is substantially the same as aheight of said public corridor.
 7. The building of claim 6, wherein saidstructural ceiling provides said first floor level with a height that isgreater than a minimum height of habitable space in said apartment unitto accommodate a plenum or cavity for overhead utilities and greaterthan minimal ostensible headroom beneath said plenum or cavity.
 8. Thebuilding of claim 1, wherein said second floor level is a split-leveldistance, less than one-half story, below a plane of said first floorlevel.
 9. The building of claim 8, wherein each of said first and secondapartment units includes a structural ceiling over said second floorlevel, said structural ceiling providing said second floor level with aheight that is substantially the same as: 1) a structural height of saidfirst floor level plus twice the distance between a plane of said firstfloor level and a plane of said second floor level; or 2) a structuralheight of said first floor level plus the difference in height between aplane of said first floor level and a plane of said second floor level,plus the difference in height between a plane of said first floor leveland a plane of said second floor level of another apartment unit nextabove said apartment unit.
 10. The building of claim 1, wherein saidpublic corridor is substantially centrally located relative to saidfirst and second apartment units of each of said at least one pair ofapartment units.
 11. A multi-level building, comprising: a plurality ofvertical segments, each of said vertical segments being comprised of atleast one pair of first and second apartment units and a public corridorthat provides access to said first and second apartment units, each ofsaid first and second apartment units including at least four floorlevels suitable for habitation, a first one of said floor levels beingsubstantially co-planar with a floor level of said public corridor saidfirst apartment unit being rotated 180 degrees in plan in relation tosaid second apartment unit about said public corridor, in each of saidfirst and second apartment units, said first floor level and a secondone of said floor levels extending from a plane of a wall containing anentry into said apartment unit to a building façade on a first side ofsaid public corridor on which the wall containing the entry from saidpublic corridor into said apartment unit is situated a third one of saidfloor levels extending beneath said public corridor to a building facadeon a second side of said public corridor opposite to said first sidesuch that said third floor level extends in a direction opposite to thedirection in which said first and second floor levels extend from saidpublic corridor, a fourth one of said floor levels extending above saidpublic corridor to the building facade on the second side of said publiccorridor opposite to said first side such that said fourth floor levelextends in the same direction as said third floor level extends fromsaid public corridor; and a stair system arranged in each of said firstand second apartment units to connect said at least four floor levels,said segments being arranged one on top of another such that theorientation of each of said apartment units on the same side of saidpublic corridor is mirrored laterally with respect to horizontallyadjacent apartment units and vertically adjacent apartment units havethe same orientation as said horizontally adjacent apartment units whichorientation is opposite that of the orientation of the subject apartmentunit.
 12. The building of claim 11, wherein said public corridors of allof said vertical segments align vertically with one another.
 13. Thebuilding of claim 1, further comprising vertically continuous demisingwalls extending from one façade to the other and through all of said atleast one vertical segment, said public corridor being perpendicular toand penetrating said demising walls.
 14. The building of claim 13,wherein the building includes a plurality of pairs of apartment unitsarranged laterally adjacent to one another about one of said demisingwalls.
 15. A multi-level building, comprising: a plurality of verticalsegments, each of said vertical segments being comprised of at least onepair of first and second apartment units and a public corridor thatprovides access to said first and second apartment units, each of saidfirst and second apartment units including at least four floor levelssuitable for habitation, a first one of said floor levels beingsubstantially co-planar with a floor level of said public corridor saidfirst apartment unit being rotated 180 degrees in plan in relation tosaid second apartment unit about said public corridor, in each of saidfirst and second apartment units, said first floor level and a secondone of said floor levels extending from a plane of a wall containing anentry into said apartment unit to a building façade on a first side ofsaid public corridor on which the wall containing the entry from saidpublic corridor into said apartment unit is situated a third one of saidfloor levels extending beneath said public corridor to a building facadeon a second side of said public corridor opposite to said first sidesuch that said third floor level extends in a direction opposite to thedirection in which said first and second floor levels extend from saidpublic corridor, a fourth one of said floor levels extending above saidpublic corridor to the building facade on the second side of said publiccorridor opposite to said first side such that said fourth floor levelextends in the same direction as said third floor level extends fromsaid public corridor; and a stair system arranged in each of said firstand second apartment units to connect said at least four floor levels,said vertical segments being arranged one on top of another such thatthe orientation of each of said apartment units on the same side of saidpublic corridor is mirrored laterally with respect to horizontallyadjacent apartment units and vertically adjacent apartment units havethe same orientation as said horizontally adjacent apartment units whichorientation is opposite that of the orientation of the subject apartmentunit.
 16. The building of claim 13, wherein at least one of saiddemising walls between adjacent pairs of apartment units defines anopening leading into an apartment unit of one pair of apartment unitsand a corresponding projection leading into an apartment unit of theother pair of apartment units to thereby effect a transfer of availablespace between said apartment units.
 17. The building of claim 1, whereinsaid first and second apartment units of said at least one apartmentpair are arranged such that said first floor level of said secondapartment unit is situated between said third and fourth floor levels ofsaid first apartment unit and said first floor level of said firstapartment unit is situated between said third and fourth floor levels ofsaid second apartment unit.
 18. The building of claim 1, wherein in eachof said first and second apartment units, said third floor leveloccupies a plane less than one full story beneath said second floorlevel, and accessed with sufficient headroom beneath said publiccorridor to accommodate a connecting interior stair of said stairsystem.
 19. The building of claim 13, wherein said demising wallsprovide or assist in a load-bearing or supporting function.
 20. Thebuilding of claim 1, wherein said stair system comprises: a stairsupport assembly having first and second major faces and first andsecond lateral faces; a first set of risers defining a first stairway ofa first vertical predetermined height and extending along said firstmajor face of said stair support assembly and between a first landing atthe level of said public corridor and a second landing less thanone-half story below the plane of the first landing, the first andsecond landings are at said first and second floor levels, respectively,the first landing abutting said first lateral face of the stair supportassembly and extending horizontally away from said second major face ofsaid stair support assembly to said first floor level, the secondlanding abutting a second lateral face of said stair support assemblyand a portion of said first major face and extending horizontally awayfrom said first major face and second lateral face to said second floorlevel; a second set of risers defining a second stairway of a secondvertical predetermined height, the second set of risers extending alongsaid second major face of said stair support assembly and between thesecond landing and a third landing below the plane of the secondlanding, the third landing being at a third level that extendshorizontally away from the lowest riser of said second stairway to saidthird floor level; a third set of risers defining a third stairway of athird vertical predetermined height, the third set of risers extendingalong said second major face of said stair support assembly and betweenthe first landing and a platform above the plane of the first landingand within function space of said second floor level; and a fourth setof risers defining a fourth stairway of a fourth vertical predeterminedheight, the fourth set of risers extending along said first major faceof said stair support assembly and between said platform and a fourthlanding at a fourth level above the plane of said platform, said fourthset of risers extending horizontally away from said first lateral faceto said fourth floor level.